US20110107725A1 - Packaging Machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaging apparatus wherein each product is packaged by enveloping the product in flexible packaging material. A programmed microprocessor calculates the length of flexible packaging material needed to package the product based on the physical dimensions of the product, calculates the weight of the flexible packaging material needed, and calculates a total package weight as the sum of the weight of the product and the calculated weight of the flexible packaging material. A printer prints information specific to the product that is being packaged onto a label that is then affixed to the flexible packaging material prior to the product being packaged. The information can be a function of the package weight, and the calculated total package weight can be communicated from the microprocessor to the printer. Finally, the product is packaged in the flexible packaging material having the label already affixed thereto.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This application is a divisional of currently pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/124,226, filed May 21, 2008, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/093,365 filed on Mar. 30, 2005, the entire disclosures of both said applications being incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for packaging products for shipping.
• Mail-order companies and other organizations that deliver products by mail or courier are continually striving to improve the efficiency of the processes of packaging products and getting them ready for shipment, which generally includes labeling (i.e., affixing a label on each package indicating the address of the recipient), and franking (i.e., putting the correct postage on each package). In many cases, even if the products are packaged by an automated packaging machine, the processes of labeling and franking are performed at least in part by hand.
• For instance, many small- to medium-volume shippers still manually weigh each package after the packages are produced. A label is then printed, and a worker manually applies the label to the package. Not only is this procedure inefficient, but it has potential for errors, such as applying the wrong label to a package.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention addresses the above needs and achieves other advantages. In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a packaging method and apparatus that automates the process of packaging products and that labels the packages during the process of producing the packages. In some embodiments, the weight of each package is automatically determined so that no post-production weighing procedure is required.
• A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is suitable for packaging products of varying weights and physical dimensions for shipping, wherein each product is packaged by enveloping the product in flexible packaging material of predetermined width and predetermined weight per unit area (or, equivalently, predetermined weight per unit length). The method includes using a programmed microprocessor to calculate the length of flexible packaging material needed to package the product, based on the physical dimensions of the product, and to calculate the weight of the flexible packaging material needed to package the product based on the length, the predetermined width, and the predetermined weight per unit area of the flexible packaging material. The microprocessor then calculates a total package weight as the sum of the weight of the product and the calculated weight of the flexible packaging material.
• The method further includes using a printer to print information onto a label that is then affixed to the flexible packaging material, wherein the label is specific to the product that is being packaged. In some embodiments, the information can be a function of the package weight (e.g., the information can include the amount of postage payable for shipping the package, which depends on package weight). Accordingly, the calculated total package weight can be communicated from the microprocessor to the printer. Finally, the product is packaged in the flexible packaging material having the label already affixed thereto.
• In preferred embodiments, first and second rolls of the flexible packaging material are provided and an upper web is drawn from one of the rolls and a lower web is drawn from the other roll, each of the upper and lower webs being advanced by a web drive system. The product is disposed between the upper and lower webs and the webs with the product therebetween are advanced by the web drive system through a nip to adhere the webs to each other and envelop the product therebetween. The lower web upstream of the nip is generally horizontal for receiving the product thereon.
• The lower web upstream of the nip can be advanced over a scale for weighing the product. The scale determines the weight of the product and communicates the weight to the microprocessor. Alternatively, the weight of each product can be determined by scanning a product code on the product or on a packing slip associated with the product and consulting a database that includes information such as product weight corresponding to each of various product codes stored in the database.
• In one embodiment, the method includes the step of using a product length detector to determine the length of the product disposed on the lower web. The microprocessor calculates the length of each of the upper and lower webs of flexible packaging material needed for packaging the product based in part on the length of the product. The length of web material needed can also depend on the product height, which can be either measured by a height detector or known in advance (e.g., by consulting the database based on a scanned product code) and input to the microprocessor.
• When a scale is used for weighing products, the method can be implemented in a batch mode wherein a first product of a batch of identical products is weighed by the scale and the weight is determined for the first product. The first product is then packaged as previously described. Thereafter, the weighing step is skipped and the microprocessor uses the same weight for each subsequent product of the batch.
• In preferred embodiments of the invention, an automated label applicator affixes the label to the flexible packaging material. The method includes verifying whether the label was affixed by the label applicator, and the web drive system advances the webs and the product through the nip only after it has been verified that the label was affixed.
• The invention in another aspect provides a packaging method and apparatus wherein an extendable and retractable infeed gate is disposed upstream of the nip through which the product is advanced between the webs of flexible packaging material. The infeed gate is extended into a blocking position proximate the lower web so that a product to be packaged can be placed onto the lower web and abutted against the infeed gate. In this manner, the leading edge of the product is positioned at a known location along the longitudinal direction (i.e., the product length direction) in which the product is advanced into the nip. The infeed gate thus facilitates automatic detection of the product length using a product length detector. The infeed gate is then retracted to its unblocking position such that the webs and product can be advanced through the nip.
• A packaging apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, which facilitates labeling of the packaging material prior to the packaging operation, comprises a pair of opposed rollers forming a nip therebetween, a web guide system for guiding a pair of opposing upper and lower webs of flexible packaging material into the nip, an infeed bed located upstream of the nip, the lower web being supported by the infeed bed such that a product to be packaged can be placed onto the lower web on the infeed bed and advanced along with the lower web in a longitudinal direction into the nip, and a generally planar labeling support member spaced upstream of the nip. The web guide system includes upper web guides structured and arranged to guide the upper web to travel along a surface of the labeling support member such that the upper web is supported by the labeling support member and an upper surface of the upper web is accessible for affixing an adhesive label thereon. The affixing can be accomplished manually or by using an automated label applicator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
• Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging machine in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a module frame supporting various equipment in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a package, also showing a label affixed thereto;
• FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a packaging machine in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, showing the interconnections of various components of the machine;
• FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a packaging machine in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, showing operation of an infeed gate;
• FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line6-6 inFIG. 1;
• FIG. 7A is a sectioned side view of an infeed gate assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, shown in a first position;
• FIG. 7B shows the infeed gate in a second position;
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the infeed gate ofFIGS. 7A and 7B;
• FIG. 9A is a sectioned side view of an infeed gate assembly in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, shown in a first position;
• FIG. 9B shows the infeed gate in a second position; and
• FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of a detector system for detecting the leading edge of a product placed on the lower web on the infeed bed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The present inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
• A packaging apparatus20 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown inFIG. 1. The apparatus20 is of the dual-web type for advancing a first orupper web22 and a second orlower web24 in generally parallel opposing relation with an object disposed between the webs and sealing the webs together to capture the object therebetween. The apparatus includes a main frame having a base formed by a plurality of spacedvertical support columns26,28,30, on one side of a longitudinal axis of the apparatus, and a corresponding plurality of spacedvertical support columns26′,28′,30′ (column30′ not visible inFIG. 1) on the opposite side of the longitudinal axis. Upper and lowerlongitudinal members32 are rigidly connected betweensupport columns26 and28 and betweensupport columns28 and30, and similarlongitudinal members32′ are rigidly connected betweencolumns26′ and28′ and betweencolumns28′ and30′. A lowertransverse member34 is rigidly connected between thesupport columns26 and26′, a lower transverse member36 is rigidly connected between thesupport columns28 and28′, and a lowertransverse member38 is rigidly connected between thesupport columns30 and30′. A generallyplanar infeed bed40 is rigidly connected between thelongitudinal members32,32′. A lowerlongitudinal member42 is rigidly connected between the lowertransverse members36 and38.
• The main frame also includes a superstructure that extends up from the base and above theinfeed bed40. The superstructure is formed by upward extensions of thesupport columns26,26′,28,28′,30, and30′. An upper transverse member44 is rigidly connected between the upper ends of thecolumns26 and26′, and an uppertransverse member46 is rigidly connected between the upper ends of thecolumns30 and30′. An upperlongitudinal member48 is rigidly connected between the upper ends of thecolumns26 and30, and an upperlongitudinal member50 is rigidly connected between the upper ends of thecolumns26′ and30′.
• Upstream columns26 and26′ support web mounts52,54 that respectively support supply rolls of thewebs22,24 in a rotatable manner. Theupper web22 is drawn from its supply roll and advanced over aguide56 supported between thelongitudinal members48,50, then over aguide58 supported between thelongitudinal members48,50 and spaced longitudinally downstream from thefirst guide56, and then downward for further handling as described in detail below. Thelower web24 is drawn from its supply roll and advanced under alower guide60 supported betweencolumns28,28′, then over anupper guide62 supported betweencolumns28,28′, then onto the upper surface of theinfeed bed40. The infeed bed supports a pair of web edge guides64,66 that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine and are spaced apart by a distance about equal to the width of thelower web24. The edge guides capture the opposite edges of theweb24 between the infeed bed and the guides and thereby hold the lower web flat on the infeed bed and substantially prevent transverse movement of the web, while allowing the web to freely move in the longitudinal direction. A product P to be packaged is placed upon thelower web24 on the infeed bed, as further described below.
• With reference toFIGS. 1,4, and6, the apparatus includes a pair ofrollers70,72 that are rotatably mounted in the main frame at a downstream end thereof. Therollers70,72 form a nip through which thewebs22,24 are advanced with the product P disposed therebetween. Advantageously, one or both of therollers70,72 comprises a resiliently deformable material at least over a medial portion of the roller's length, such that the passage of the product through the nip deforms the roller(s) and the restoring force of the resiliently deformable material presses thewebs22,24 toward each other so that the web conform closely to the product. The webs advantageously have cold seal or cohesive material on their facing surfaces such that the application of pressure by therollers70,72 causes the webs to adhere to each other but not to the product. The end portions of each of therollers70,72 advantageously comprise a generally non-deformable material for firmly gripping the opposite edge portions of thewebs22,24, and the rollers advantageously are rotatably driven for advancing the webs through the apparatus, thus comprising a web drive system. Alternatively, a separate web drive system can be employed if desired.
• With reference toFIGS. 1 and 4, at a downstream end of theinfeed bed40, an upperweb support plate74 is mounted between a pair of spacedend plates76, forming a housing that rests atop the base of the main frame. This housing preferably is pivotable relative to the main frame about hinges (not shown) located at the upper downstream corner of the housing, for access to internal parts of the machine when required for maintenance and the like. The upperweb support plate74 is spaced vertically above the level of the infeed bed. The upper web is advanced beneath a pair of longitudinally spaced web guides78,80 supported atop theend plates76, such that the upper web passes along the upper surface of thesupport plate74. As further described below, thesupport plate74 provides support for theupper web22 so that an adhesive label can be affixed onto the web either by hand or, in some embodiments as described below, by a labeling unit.
• The apparatus20 in the illustrated embodiment also includes amodule frame82, best seen inFIG. 2. The module frame comprises a stand-alone module that is configured to support various components that tend to be specific to a particular user of the packaging apparatus, and that is configured to releasably dock with the main frame of the apparatus so that the components are positioned properly for operation during the packaging process. The module frame comprises a base formed by a pair of spacedlongitudinal members84,86 each of which haswheels88 such as caster wheels or the like for rolling the module frame along a floor, and atransverse member90 rigidly connected between thelongitudinal members84,86. Avertical support column92 extends upwardly from the base. Alongitudinal support member94 is rigidly connected to thecolumn92 in cantilever fashion and supports a generallyhorizontal platform96. The upper end portion of thesupport column92 supports afixture98 configured to mount alabeling unit100. Acustomer terminal102, comprising a microprocessor and memory (e.g., a personal computer), is mounted on thetransverse member90 of the module frame. Avisual display monitor104, akeyboard106, and a mouse108 are supported by theplatform96 and are connected to thecustomer terminal102. Aproduct scanner110 is also supported by theplatform96. These components and their operation are further described below.
• Themodule frame82 includesreleasable fastening devices112 mounted on thelongitudinal base member84. Thefastening devices112 are configured to releasably engage corresponding fastening devices114 (FIG. 1) on thelongitudinal member42 of the main frame of the apparatus so as to dock the module frame with the main frame.
• Thelabeling unit100 comprises aprinter116 operable to print on adhesive labels that are preferably in the form of a continuous web of release liner material with the labels releasably adhered to the liner and spaced along its length direction. Aroll118 of the adhesive labels is mounted on the module frame adjacent the labeling unit. The label web is advanced through the printer, the printer prints on each label, and then the label is separated from the release liner for application to theupper web22. The labeling unit includes anautomated label applicator120 that receives the label from the printer. A sensor122 (FIG. 4) detects when a label has been received by the applicator, as further described below. The label applicator includes a suitable mechanism for holding onto the upper, non-adhesive side of the label, such as a vacuum-operated tamphead124. The tamphead124 is movable by a suitable pneumatic cylinder or the like between an upper position and a lower position; in the lower position, the adhesive label held by the tamp head is pressed against theupper web22 supported on thesupport plate74, thereby affixing the label to the web. There are a variety of commercially available labeling units that can be used in the practice of the invention, and the invention is not limited to any particular type. A suitable labeling unit is the Model 250 print and apply labeling system available from RSI ID Technologies of Chula Vista, Calif.; the system includes a Zebra thermal-transfer printer. Other types of printing devices can be used, including ink jet, laser jet, and the like. Furthermore, it is within the scope of the invention to print directly onto the flexible packaging material rather than onto a separate label.
• With primary reference toFIG. 4, after theupper web22 has had a label affixed to it, the upper web and lower web are advanced by the web drive system to pass through the nip between therollers70,72, along with the product P supported on thelower web24. The distance traveled by the upper web between the label application station and the nip is designed in relation to the distance traveled by the product from its initial location on the infeed bed to the nip so that the label on the upper web is generally centered on a package formed to envelope the product. After the product passes through the nip, acutoff device130 severs the web material at a location spaced downstream from the trailing edge of the product to produce a completed package. Apackage outfeed conveyor132 receives the package and conveys it to another location such as into a bin (not shown).
• With reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, the apparatus20 advantageously includes aninfeed gate140 suitably mounted (such as below the upper web support plate74) in a position upstream of the nip defined by therollers70,72. The infeed gate is connected to anactuator142, such as a pneumatic cylinder or the like, operable to move the infeed gate between a blocking position wherein the lower edge of the gate abuts or nearly abuts thelower web24 on theinfeed bed40 and an unblocking position wherein the lower edge of the gate is spaced above the lower web by a distance exceeding a maximum height of the products to be packaged such that the products can pass beneath the gate. Thus, when a package is to be formed, the infeed gate is lowered to the blocking position and the product is placed on the lower web with the leading edge of the product abutting the gate. This ensures that the leading edge of the product is in a consistent, repeatable location with respect to the nip.
• With reference toFIGS. 1 and 4, the apparatus20 also includes aproduct length detector150 for measuring the length of a product disposed on thelower web24 on theinfeed bed40. The product length detector can comprise various types of devices, including but not limited to an optical distance-measuring device such as a laser distance-measuring device. The product length detector is preferably mounted adjacent an upstream end of theinfeed bed40 and is positioned and aimed at the trailing edge of the product disposed on the lower web. By measuring the distance from the detector to the trailing edge, and with knowledge of the distance from the detector to the leading edge (e.g., when theinfeed gate140 is employed and the leading edge is abutted against the gate), the length of the product between the leading and trailing edges can be determined.
• With reference toFIG. 4, the apparatus20 in some embodiments can include ascale154 embedded in theinfeed bed40 in such a manner that thelower web24 passes over the scale and the weight of a product disposed on the lower web is entirely supported by the scale. For example, the infeed bed can have an aperture therein and the scale can be mounted beneath the aperture such that the upper surface of the scale is flush with the upper surface of the infeed bed. The total weight supported by the scale comprises the product plus a portion of the lower web; accordingly, a tare measurement of the lower web alone can be subtracted from the total weight to determine the product weight. The product weight is one component of the total weight of a package enclosing the product. The total package weight is determined in a manner described below.
• As noted, the apparatus includes aproduct scanner110. The product scanner is positioned above the infeed bed near theinfeed gate140 so that a product placed on the lower web against the gate can be scanned to detect a product code on the product or on an item that is packaged along with the product, such as a packing slip. The product code can be in the form of a bar code the encodes a universal product code or the like. The scanner can comprise a bar code reader. Based on the product code, information about the identity of the product and its characteristics (e.g., product weight, product length, product height, etc.) and other information associated with the product can be determined. Such information can be stored in the memory of thecustomer terminal102, for instance.
• The apparatus20 includes acontroller160 comprising a microprocessor and memory (e.g., a personal computer or the like). Thecontroller160 is programmed to control the various motors and actuators of the apparatus20 that effect movement of the moving parts such that the movements are properly synchronized with respect to one another and so that packages are properly made and labeled.FIG. 4 shows the interconnections between thecontroller160 and certain components of the apparatus; in addition to the connections shown inFIG. 4, it will be understood that thecontroller160 is also connected to the motor162 that drives the niprollers70,72, to thecutoff device130, to themotor164 that drives theoutfeed conveyor132, and to theactuator142 for theinfeed gate140. As depicted inFIG. 4, thecontroller160 is connected to theproduct length detector150 and receives a signal therefrom. Thedetector150 can be calibrated so that its signal is directly indicative of the product length; alternatively, the signal can be indicative of the distance from the detector to the trailing edge of the product, and the microprocessor of thecontroller160 can be programmed to calculate the product length by subtracting that distance from a predetermined distance between the detector and theinfeed gate140 stored in the memory of the controller.
• Thecontroller160 is also connected to theproduct scanner110 for receiving a signal therefrom indicative of the product code read by the scanner. The memory of thecontroller160 can store a database that includes product information correlated with product codes, so that based on the product code indicated by the signal from thescanner110, information about the product can be retrieved from the database. The information can include, for example, the height of the product. The product height is important because the length of thepackaging material webs22,24 required for packaging a product depends not only on the product length but also on the product height. In particular, the length of the fin (i.e., the portion of web material that extends upstream of the product's leading edge and the portion that extends downstream of the product's trailing edge) advantageously depends on product height; for instance, the fin length can be a multiple of the product height such that the greater the product height, the greater the fin length. Thus, product height must be known. This can be accomplished either by storing the predetermined product height in the database of thecontroller160 and accessing it based on the scanned product code, or by using a product height detector. As an example, the product height detector can be incorporated into or mounted alongside thescanner110, or in another suitable location.
• The microprocessor of thecontroller160 advantageously is programmed to calculate the length of thewebs22,24 needed for packaging the product scanned by thescanner110. The required length, as noted, depends on the product length and product height. The microprocessor is also programmed to calculate the weight of the required length of thewebs22,24 based on the web length and a predetermined weight per unit length of the web material stored in the memory of the controller; thus, the weight of each web is equal to the length multiplied by the weight per unit length. Alternatively, the weight of each web can be calculated by multiplying the length by a predetermined weight per unit area or basis weight and multiplying that product by a predetermined width of the web material.
• Thecontroller160 is connected to thescale154, when a scale is present. The scale provides a signal indicative of the weight exerted on the scale and communicates the signal to thecontroller160. As previously noted, the scale advantageously is tared to effectively subtract the weight of the lower web (and taring preferably is performed before each product is weighed), such that the signal from the scale is directly indicative of the product weight. The microprocessor of the controller calculates the total package weight as the sum of the product and web material weights.
• Thecontroller160 is also connected to thelabeling unit100 for controlling its operation. As previously described, the labeling unit includes asensor122 for detecting when a label has been received at the tamphead124 of thelabel applicator120. The signal from thesensor122 is received by thecontroller160. The microprocessor of the controller is programmed so that the web drive system is activated to advance the webs and product through the nip if and only if thesensor122 confirms that a label was received at the tamp head, which gives a positive confirmation (once the tamp head is lowered against the upper web) that a label has been affixed to theupper web22. Preferably, the label is printed and affixed only if the product code has been successfully scanned by thescanner110. Thus, the invention ensures that packages are made only if a good scan has been accomplished and a label has been printed and affixed.
• The operation of the apparatus20 is now explained with primary reference toFIGS. 1 and 4. Rolls of upper andlower webs22,24 are mounted in the web mounts52,54, respectively. Theupper web22 is threaded through the machine by advancing the web over theguides56,58 and then downward and under theguides78,80, and then through the nip betweenrollers70,72. Thelower web24 is threaded by advancing the web underguide60, overguide62, through the web edge guides64,66 and through the nip. To begin a packaging sequence, a product P is placed on thelower web24 against theinfeed gate140, which is normally down in its blocking position unless the controller commands its actuator to raise the gate. A cycle start button (not shown) is pressed, which causes thecontroller160 to execute a series of operations as follows: Thecontroller160 causes theproduct scanner110 to scan the product code, and the signal from the scanner is sent to thecustomer terminal102, which, based on the product code, accesses its database and retrieves information about the scanned product that will be used, among other things, for generating information to be printed on a label. Thecontroller160 also receives feedback from thescanner110 to confirm the product was scanned. Next, thescale154 is tared and the product is weighed, and the product weight is stored in the memory of thecontroller160. Theproduct length detector150 measures the distance to the product's trailing edge and the microprocessor of thecontroller160 calculates the product length based on that measured distance and the known distance to theinfeed gate140 where the product's leading edge is located. The microprocessor then calculates the length of thewebs22,24 required for the package based on the product length, and advantageously also based on the product height, which can be either measured with a height detector or stored in a database in the customer's terminal (or, alternatively, in the memory of the controller160). Based on the web length, the microprocessor of thecontroller160 then calculates the material weight using a formula such as web length multiplied by weight per unit length or the like. The total package weight is then calculated as the sum of the product weight and the web material weight, and the package weight is stored in the memory of thecontroller160 and/or is communicated to thecustomer terminal102 where it is stored.
• Thecustomer terminal102 then can generate information to be printed on a packing slip for packaging along with the product, and that information can be sent to a packing slip printer (not shown), if desired. Thecustomer terminal102 also sends the label information to theprinter116 of thelabeling unit100, which prints a label and sends the label to thelabel applicator120. Thelabel sensor122 monitors to detect when the label is received by the tamphead124 of the applicator, and the applicator then affixes the label onto theupper web24 on thesupport plate74. Finally, thecontroller160 causes the web drive system motor162 to drive therollers70,72 to advance thewebs22,24 and the product P through the nip to produce apackage200, which is cut off by thecutoff device130 and conveyed by theoutfeed conveyor132 to the machine discharge. The process generally as described above is repeated for each subsequent package. The microprocessor of thecontroller160 is programmed to alternately advance the webs by an index distance (i.e., the required length of the webs for packaging each product) and bring the webs to a stop, with the index distance being determined by the controller for each product based on the length of the product indicated by the product length detector, as previously described.
• FIG. 3 depicts apackage200 produced in accordance with the invention. The product P is enclosed between theupper web22 andlower web24, which are sealed to each other at marginal regions of the web surrounding the product. A label L is affixed to theupper web22. As shown, the label is printed with text and/or symbols embodying information such as the recipient's name and address, sender's name and address, postal routing information, and optionally printing that evidences that the amount of postage payable for shipping the package has been paid.
• An alternative infeed gate assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is depicted inFIGS. 7A,7B, and8. The infeed gate assembly includes aninfeed gate240 pivotally connected at its upper edge to amember241 of the structure that includes the upperweb support plate74. Anactuator242 such as a pneumatic cylinder or the like is connected between the structure and the infeed gate for causing pivotal movement of the gate between a first or blocking position shown inFIG. 7A and a second or unblocking position shown inFIG. 7B. The infeed gate can be positioned at different angular orientations for products of different heights so that a fin length (i.e., the length of packaging material that extends forward of the leading edge of the product on a finished package) can be varied as desired. As seen inFIG. 7A, even for a single oblique angular orientation of theinfeed gate240, the fin length will vary for different height products. In particular, the thicker or higher product P will have a greater fin length than the thinner product because the leading edge of the thicker product will be located farther upstream from the package cutoff device (not shown) compared to the thinner product. In general, it is desirable for the fin length to be greater for thicker products. By varying the angular orientation of the infeed gate in its blocking position as a function of product height, greater control over the fin length can be achieved, if desired. Asensor244 can be located downstream of the gate for detecting the product as it is conveyed past the gate. The gate can include aslot246 at its lower edge to prevent blocking the sensor's light of sight when the gate is raised as shown inFIG. 7B. The sensor signal can be used for various purposes. For example, once the product clears the sensor location, the gate can be lowered again in preparation for the next product.
• Still another embodiment of an infeed gate assembly is shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B. The infeed gate assembly includes aninfeed gate340 that is mounted to the structure that includes the upperweb support plate74. In particular, the structure defines guide tracks348 along each of the opposite side edges of the gate, the tracks extending in an inclined direction upwardly and downstream. Anactuator342 is connected between the structure and the gate for moving the gate between a lowered or blocking position (FIG. 9A) and a raised or unblocking position (FIG. 9B). The advantage of this infeed gate assembly is that as the gate is raised, it is also moved downstream away from the product. There is thus a substantially reduced chance that the gate will tend to lift the product along with the gate and thereby inadvertently shift the product's position on the lower web.
• The packaging machine and method described above can be modified in various other ways within the scope of the present invention. For example, theinfeed gate140 can be omitted and instead, a detector system can be used for detecting the leading edge of the product to ensure that the leading edge is in the proper location before the packaging sequence is initiated. As an illustrative example,FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration looking down on thelower web24 on the infeed bed of the machine. To guide an operator in placing a product P on the lower web in the proper location with respect to the downstream nip rollers so that the label affixed to the upper web and the product are correctly located with respect to each other, adetector system180 can be used. The detector system can comprise various types and arrangements of detectors operable to detect the leading edge of the product. The illustrated detector system comprises a pair of beam emitters182aand184alocated adjacent one longitudinal edge of thelower web24 and spaced a slight distance apart in the longitudinal direction, and a corresponding pair of beam receivers182band184blocated adjacent the opposite longitudinal edge of the web directly across from the emitters. The emitter182aemits a beam of light in the invisible or visible spectrum, and as long as there is no product on the web blocking the beam's path, the receiver182breceives the beam and produces a signal. Likewise, the receiver184breceives the beam emitted by the emitter184aas long as the product is not blocking the beam and produces a signal. When a product is placed on the lower web upstream of the beams and is slid downstream, at some point, as shown inFIG. 7, the product's leading edge block the beam of the first emitter182abut does not block the beam of the second emitter184a; this causes the first receiver182bto produce no signal (or a signal of a different character), while the second receiver184bproduces a signal (or a signal of unchanged character). When this condition is met, it is known that the product's leading edge is in the correct location. If the product is too far downstream and blocks both beams, or is too far upstream and blocks neither beam, it is known based on the receiver signals that the product location is incorrect. The tolerance on leading edge location is a function of the longitudinal spacing of the emitters/receivers, and can be selected as desired. A “go” or “ready” light186 connected to the detector system is illuminated only when the product is correctly located. When the operator gets the “go” light, the product length can be detected as previously described, and the packaging sequence can proceed.
• In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the detected product length is used in order to center a label on a package. More particularly, in this embodiment, thelabel applicator120 tamps the label onto theupper web22 while the upper web is being advanced toward the nip (i.e., “on-the-fly” tamping). The timing of the tamping is controlled by thecontroller160, based on the product length, so that the label is substantially centered on the resulting package in the longitudinal direction. The objective is to have the longitudinal midpoint of the label and the longitudinal midpoint of the product substantially coincide in the longitudinal direction.
• Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims (3)

1. An apparatus for packaging products, comprising:

a pair of opposed rollers forming a nip therebetween;

a web guide system for guiding a pair of opposing upper and lower webs of flexible packaging material into the nip so that a product to be packaged when placed between the webs is passed through the nip along with the webs, facing surfaces of the webs having sealing material for sealing the webs together enclosing the product;

an infeed bed located upstream of the nip, the lower web being supported by the infeed bed such that a product to be packaged can be placed onto the lower web on the infeed bed and advanced along with the lower web in a longitudinal direction into the nip; and

a generally planar labeling support member spaced upstream of the nip;

wherein the web guide system includes upper web guides structured and arranged to guide the upper web to travel along a surface of the labeling support member such that the upper web is supported by the labeling support member and an upper surface of the upper web is accessible for affixing an adhesive label thereon.

2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, the infeed bed supporting web edge guides that engage opposite edges of the lower web and substantially prevent movement of the lower web except in the longitudinal direction.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the labeling support member comprises a generally horizontal upper support plate having opposite longitudinal edges, and a pair of generally vertical, longitudinally extending side plates joined to and depending from the opposite longitudinal edges of the upper support plate so as to form a partial enclosure disposed atop the infeed bed.

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